How to Decide Between the SAT and the ACT
You may be trying to decide between the ACT and SAT, and you’ve maybe even looked at other online resources to determine which one may be best for you. But the absolute best way to figure this out is to take one of each in a controlled environment that matches test day conditions without a score being reported. That way you can compare how each test felt and how the scores stack up against each other, and start to look at which test would be easier to improve on. It is very important to keep in mind that these things are not necessarily the same! A test may feel easy but be difficult to improve on, or may be hard but is easier to improve on. This will depend both on your abilities and the nature of each test.
You can also use your PSAT score to compare to a mock ACT, as the PSAT has been fairly accurate in the past.
Is There a Quicker Way?
What if you don’t want to take two full length mock tests or don’t have the time to? How would we settle on the test that’s most likely right for you?
We’ve noticed some patterns in our students who settle on each test.
Do you really intensely dislike Science? -> Don’t take the ACT.
Do you really need your calculator for all things math? -> Don’t take the SAT.
Do you like grappling with hard passages and difficult questions? Do you feel like you need more time to process what you’re reading and that you can really stand out when you’re given that time? -> Take the SAT.
Do you prefer straightforward questions and passages with less time per question? -> Take the ACT.
What About the Math Section?
In the past, families were asked to consider what math class they’re in to help determine which test to take, but recently we’ve found that this doesn’t really matter anymore. Tradeoffs in each test make them about the same in that regard. In the SAT, you only need up to the level of IM2/Algebra 2 content-wise (which is usually taken sophomore or junior year), but the questions will show up in ways you’ve never seen before. In the ACT, there are questions pulled far beyond pre-calc, but they are tested at a very superficial level, so they can be learned pretty quickly and are what we call “gimme points” because they’re only testing if you’ve seen the concept before (and almost no students in high school have). So both tests require practice in recognition and approach when it comes to the math section.
New Important Consideration: the Digital SAT
The SAT is going digital starting with the March 2024 test. This is halfway through the testing year so will significantly impact the testing landscape for the high school grad class of 2025.
Some fast facts:
It will be a shorter test (2 hours vs 3).
It will be entirely digital.
It is fewer, harder questions.
The passages are significantly shorter.
There are fewer repetitive concepts tested.
The questions are changing: some are your favorite standbys from the current form of the SAT, some types are from the older versions of the SATs (mostly from the 2005-2015 era), and some new question types look a little more like questions from the LSAT or GRE tests.
The test is adaptive, which means Module 2’s difficulty will reflect how well you performed in Module 1. I’ve seen this cause some distress (“oh no! these questions are too easy in module 2! did I really mess up module 1?!”), but experienced test takers adjust and perform well all the same.
So what does this mean for you?
Well, it could have a huge impact if you’re a student for whom these make a difference! There’s also the idea of timing to consider - you will not be able to take the digital test until March 2024, and you will not be able to take the paper test after December 2023.
So, you may want to consider preparing for the Digital SAT only IF 2 hours is much more acceptable to you than the 3 hour test and you don’t mind working on a screen (considering that everyone will be working on the screen).You will be up against the madness of the end of Junior year (grades and APs) and beginning of Senior year (college applications) too, so only consider this option if you are comfortable with this timeline.
You may want to consider preparing for the SAT by December of 2023 if you really prefer that exam and you don’t mind the switch to the digital test as much as you would mind a switch to the ACT, or plan to do whatever it takes to be done by December of 2023 regardless.
If working online is a certain pain point for you, and the stress of having a constrained timeline of being done by December of 2023 is too much, then aiming for the digital SAT or avoiding the digital SAT will be important.
Overall
The real questions to answer are how much do you care about the switch to digital, and do you like working with one test more than the other? Because you will likely work harder and do more work on a test you like more, and you’ll also probably score higher on the test you like more. We learn more when we’re having more fun. And at the end of the day, you’ll want to get a higher score not only to improve your admission chances, but also to build up the skills you’ll use in your courses in high school and beyond.
